Larry Crowne (2011)

Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts reunite for a dramatic comedy about how the hard knocks from today's recession inspire one everyday guy to undergo a personal reinvention: Larry Crowne.

Until he was downsized, affable, amiable Larry Crowne (Hanks) was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he's worked since his time in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, Larry heads to his local college to start over. There he becomes part of a colorful community of outcasts, also-rans and the overlooked all trying to find a better future for themselves...often moving around town in a herd of scooters. In his public-speaking class, Larry develops an unexpected crush on his teacher Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), who has lost as much passion for teaching as she has for her husband.

The simple guy who has every reason to think his life has stalled will come to learn an unexpected lesson: when you think everything worth having has passed you by, you just might discover your reason to live.

It's a fairly well established fact that Tom Hanks is one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. In addition to being the current generation's Jimmy Stewart on screen, the guy has a proven track record of treating both fans and press with the utmost respect and kindness. That said, you'd think there would have to be a line somewhere.

Superman may be the iconic American superhero, but this Independence day it was the Transformers who won over the hearts and wallets of the nation. Raking in giant-freaking-robot-worthy amounts of cash and breaking records, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, the third entry in the franchise, dominated the holiday weekend.

The box office has a little for everyone this week. Tom Hanks returns to the directing chair so he can hook up with Julia Roberts, Michael Bay brings us more Autobots and Decepticons, and Selena Gomez gets the tweeners all worked up. Whatever your fancy.

When the first trailer for Larry Crowne came out in March I was painted with the dumbest smile you've ever seen on a man. The video showcased just how incredibly likeable and nice Tom Hanks is and reminded me of how great it is to see him in movies. As a result I expected more of the same when I found out that Tom Hanks tweeted a "web only" trailer, but they somehow manage to top themselves. How? By adding George Takei.

Hereís the first poster for Larry Crowne, a movie I probably wouldnít be excited about if it didnít star Tom Hanks, but since it does I should probably be even more excited about it. Hey, I even liked The Terminal. Put Tom Hanks on a scooter riding just about anywhere, Iím there. Bonus points if you put Julia Roberts on the back of it.

For the life of me I've never been able to figure out why Tom Hanks hasn't pursued a larger directing career. While the guy has only one feature credit to his name, 1996's That Thing You Do, it was a fantastic debut that everyone thought would lead to much more.

It's a cute scene, though its really just "Hey, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are famous and likable, check them out." Though given how charming the two of them are, the entire movie could probably succeed based on that alone. Hanks claims when introducing the clip that he's never looked cooler in a film

Hanks/Cranston team up would be really awesome, but the way the story sounds, they might not get too much screen time together. Hopefully the two will share some scenes and give us what we really want: scenes NOT involving Julia Roberts

Itís been a ridiculous amount of time since Tom Hanks wrote and directed his first feature film. He made his debut back in 1996, on the still highly underrated, toe-tappingly awesome movie That Thing You Do